Women leave mark on Hedland history

With its roots in agriculture and mining Port Hedland has long been a male-dominated town, but as far as long-term resident Julie Arif is concerned, behind every good man is the untold story of a great woman.

Ms Arif said since the turn of the century, pioneering women had played an important role in the community as entrepreneurs, mentors and philanthropists.

“The wives of the publicans in particular were personalities and characters around the town … so many men would lean on these women as matriarchal figures,” she said.

“‘Mum’ Mannion of the Esplanade Hotel and ‘Ma’ Pilkington as she was affectionately known at the Pier Hotel, were both known for their reliability and feminine touch.

“Mrs Meikeljohn who ran the general store was also a very strong figure in the Anglican charge and was very well known for her philanthropic and charity work around town.

“These were three of our great pioneering women who weren’t recognised at the time but they really were a strong force behind their men.”

Ms Arif said one of the most notable pioneering woman to leave her mark on Hedland was the famous mid-wife Gwen Ellery.

“She delivered many Hedland babies in what is now the Dome building, which was the nursing post way back when,” she said.

“She had the Gwen Ellery Women’s Centre named after her in South Hedland, now known as the Hedland Well Women’s Centre.”

Ms Arif said some of the more notable women of the modern era had made considerable contributions to sporting groups and community organisations in town.

“You may have driven around town and seen some of our sights around town that are named after women like the Fay Gladstone netball courts and the Marie Marland Oval,” she said.

“Fay Gladstone was a lady who came up to Hedland in the 1970’s and started up the netball association.

“She was so energetic and passionate about netball … and that’s why the club is as strong as it is today.

“Marie Marland came to Hedland as a young lady with a passion for softball and she went on to umpire at international softball games around the world.

“She really developed the sport in Port Hedland which is why softball is another strong sport in town.”

Ms Arif said in recent years their were several female rising stars who had gone onto represent Hedland on an international stage in the arts and the sporting arena.

“Emma Mathews was a young lady whose father worked on the tugs here, she went on to be an award-winning opera singer and is still singing at the Sydney Opera House today,” she said.

“Kylie English was the captain of the Australian women’s water polo team, she started playing the sport when the water polo club was only in its infancy in town.

“Finally Courtney Radford who started dancing at the local Jabat School of Dance progressed onto dance with the WA and Queensland ballet companies and has just performed her first ever solo.

“We have got some wonderful young women to come out of port Hedland…as a community we should be very proud and celebrate the history of women in this town.”